British Travel Agency Urges Pilots to Reduce Demands

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British Travel Agency Urges Pilots to Reduce Demands

Clive Stacey, managing director of British travel agency Discover the World, urges Icelandair pilots, who have been on strike, to reduce their demands for a pay rise. Stacey, who has organized trips to Iceland for around 30 years, sent a letter to the Icelandic Travel Industry Association over the weekend detailing his concerns.

He said in an interview with RÚV that it is amazing that a small group of pilots can hold the Icelandic tourism industry hostage. In his opinion, the tourism industry in Iceland is characterized by professionalism and is world-class.

Icelandair canceled 26 flights on Friday due to a strike by members of the Union of Icelandic Pilots. The pilots have rejected a one-year contract with a pay increase of 2.8 percent. The union warned on Friday that a record summer for tourism in Iceland is in danger.

Icelandair cabin crew are also demanding a new agreement. Members of the Icelandic Cabin Crew Association voted in favor of refusing to work overtime on May 18 if an agreement with Icelandair is not reached before that time. In the meantime, cabin crew are considering going on strike.